Salford Red Devils have signed Wigan Warriors hooker Amir Bourouh on a two-year deal, with the option of a further year.
The 20-year-old made his Betfred Super League debut against Salford in 2019 for Wigan, going on to make sseven appearances for the Warriors before being loaned out to Betfred Championship side Halifax Panthers this year.
Bourouh, who will arrive at Salford at the end of the year, has impressed during his 11 appearances for Halifax, scoring two tries and picking up a Man of the Match award in the Panthers’ 17-16 victory over Widnes Vikings in July.
Speaking on signing for the club, Bourouh said: “I’m really excited to play for the club and in front of the Salford fans.
“After speaking with Richard (Marshall) and Ian (Blease) and seeing their ambition for the future, my decision was easily made.
“I want to challenge myself in the Super League and hopefully contribute to success in years to come.”
Salford Red Devils head coach Richard Marshall, who was head coach at Halifax from 2015 to 2019, said: “Amir is a promising young hooker who I’ve been monitoring for a while. He’s shone during his loan spell at Halifax and after speaking with my connections there, they were very impressed with him and couldn’t speak highly enough of his qualities.
“There was quite a bit of interest in Amir and we are certainly pleased he has chosen us to continue his development. He will work really well with Andy Ackers and I am looking forward to working with him over preseason and beyond.”
Director of rugby and operations Ian Blease added: “I was so excited when I watched Amir live this season, more so in a player that I’ve not seen for some time.
“He’s a young gun looking to progress at Super League level but we will look after him the ‘Salford Way’ and let him develop his true potential with us in the long term deal we have agreed.
I can’t wait to start to develop something special at the club with Amir, he’s got it all. We will give him the platform to get to the top.”
